Suspect in Multiple Shooting in Elberton Dies

An Elbert County man who was wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred at a home located on Middleton Church Road is dead, after his manhunt ended in his suicide attempt.

The shooter, identified as Donnie Williams of Calhoun Road, Elberton, died overnight at AnMed Medical Center in Anderson.

The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office first received a call of a shooting incident that occurred at 12:23pm on Thursday, January 03, 2013.

The shooting involved three white female victims, identified as 45-year old Veronica Woodall, 46-year old Marian Bing and his grand-daughter 22-year old Jacklyn Carnn Stacks.

From information gathered by investigators, Elbert County Sheriff Melvin Andrews said the incident stemmed from a property dispute.

“At this time it seems that it’s a dispute over property that started the argument, and then ended up into the shooting”, said Andrews.

Williams fled the scene, and a few hours later was found in some woods off of Cromer Road, he was then confronted by Elbert County Sheriff’s deputies.

Sheriff Andrews said, “At that time Mr. Williams stood up, put the gun to his head, and then shot himself.”

Williams was air lifted to AnMed Medical Center in Anderson, SC in critical condition. Two of his victims were airlifted to the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.

Witness’ statements led Sheriff Andrews to believe that no one else was in danger at any point or time.

“I didn’t feel that the general public was in danger, I was concerned for his safety about what he was going to do to himself since he had shot some of his family, but I wanted to work as quick as I could to get him in custody so there wouldn’t be any danger to anyone else, and that is what we did”, said Andrews.

Several different agencies chipped in to bring Williams to custody, and Sheriff Andrews said he was grateful for the cooperation.

“The support I had on this, the Elberton Police Department, the Probation Office, and the other agencies really came together to help us locate him”, said Sheriff Andrews, “I appreciate their help in assisting me.”

The condition of the three female victims are not known at this time.

Investigators are still processing the crime scenes in the incident, and more details will be available as they are released.